Laurel Magazine

Friday Night Live with McClain Family Band at Town Square
2025-08-08 18:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Town Square, Main Street, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Friday Night Live  Showcasing Traditional Mountain Music and Local Talent
McClain Family Band
Hailing from Eastern Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains, the McClain Family Band have become internationally known as one of the most spontaneous, creative and spirited groups performing original and traditional bluegrass music. Television appearances include NBC’s Today Show, the CBS Morning News and ABC’s Good Morning America. They have also performed at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Lincoln Center, and the Grand Ole Opry.

Macon County Art Association | Artfest 2025 at Macon County Public Library
2025-08-09 10:00 - 16:30 | Macon County Public Library, 149 Siler Farm Road, Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
Get ready! The Macon County Art Association (Uptown Gallery) invites you to a day of hands-on creativity and community fun at Artfest 2025, happening Saturday, August 9th from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM at the Macon County Public Library (149 Siler Farm Road, Franklin, NC). This exciting FREE event is open to the public and welcomes families, kids, and art lovers of all ages!
What to Expect:
• Interactive art activities for children and families
• Face painting and make-and-take art stations
• A bake sale with homemade treats
• A raffle with creative prizes
Whether you’re a parent, a student, a supporter of the arts, or just looking for a fun and inspiring Saturday, Artfest 2025 has something for everyone—indoors and outdoors, rain or shine!
Hosted by the Macon County Art Association, this event celebrates local creativity and connects the community through the arts.
For more information, visit the Uptown Gallery at 30 East Main Street in downtown Franklin, or email us at franklinuptowngallery@gmail.com.

Full Moon Ceremony at Unfurl Wellness Spa
2025-08-09 18:00 | Unfurl Wellness Spa, 454 Dillard Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
At Unfurl Wellness Spa, our Full Moon Ceremony offers a sacred space to set intentions and invite new beginnings. Participants come together to reflect, release past limitations, and plant seeds for personal growth. This ceremony combines intention-setting rituals designed to align with the powerful energy of the lunar cycles.
We join together for Full Moon Ceremonies to harness the peak energy of the lunar cycle, promoting release and transformation. Gathering in community, participants engage in practices that facilitate letting go of what no longer serves them, celebrating progress, and embracing personal empowerment. These ceremonies provide a supportive environment for reflection, healing, and renewal under the illuminating full moon.
(6:15 pm; Facilitated by – Maxine Smith)

Sacred Sundays at Unfurl Wellness Spa
2025-08-10 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-08-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Unfurl Wellness Spa, 454 Dillard Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Sacred Sundays is a 90 minute class of mindfulness movement and poses accompanied with an acoustic sound meditation held by Robert John Malone.
This is an all levels class focused of a variety of wellness practices to assist in raising our mind/body awareness through conscious movements and poses (1:00 – 2:30 each Sunday this season)

Our Dishonesty Crises: How Technology is Eroding Honesty at Center for Life Enrichment
2025-08-11 14:00 - 16:00 | Center For Life Enrichment, 348 S 5th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Dishonesty has always been with us. But in recent years new technology has led to a variety of dishonesty crises, in which being dishonest is easier and more tempting than it has ever been in the past. We will look closely at three examples. In the first, deepfake videos which represent people saying and doing things they never did, are becoming easier to make and harder to detect, with implications for everything from our elections to the war between Ukraine and Russia. In the second, it has become easier than ever to become a celebrity due to TikTok and other forms of social media, but that also increases the threat of dishonest behavior. In the third, professors are drowning in a wave of academic cheating by students using ChatGPT and other AI. All is not lost, however, as we will also see some practical strategies to help us resist these dishonesty crises.

Behind the Scrubs: A Behind the Scenes View of the Operating Room and Hospital Quality Ratings at Center for Life Enrichment
2025-08-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Center For Life Enrichment, 348 S 5th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Ever wonder what actually happens in surgery? Many people have had surgeries, such as a hip or knee replacement, and they have no recollection of what happened until well into the recovery phase.
This lecture will cover all the stages of surgery from the other side, from the time a decision for surgery is made through recovery. We’ll talk about the use of robotics in surgery, how trainees participate in surgical care, and where we are headed with surgical care in the next 10-20 years. We’ll also discuss hospital performance ratings and what they really tell (or don’t tell) us about hospital quality. We’ll seek to clarify some of the common misconceptions about these ratings and explain why they often don’t tell the full story.

Effortlessly Elegant : The Appetizer Edition with Center for Life Enrichment
2025-08-12 14:00 - 17:00 | NC
Elevate your appetizer game in this stylish, hands-on class. Chef Susan Hansen will guide you through crafting three sophisticated yet simple starters that are perfect for any occasion. First, dive into the delicate art of making a Sushi Shrimp Bowl, featuring perfectly seasoned shrimp served atop a bed of sushi rice with fresh veggies, garnished with a splash of soy sauce and a hint of wasabi. Next, master the savory flavors of Sundried Tomato and Garlic Butter Bruschetta. Learn to make sundried tomatoes and garlic butter from scratch, then top them on crunchy toasted baguette slices for a perfect balance of tangy and rich flavors. Finally, discover the art of making Pesto Pinwheels. Susan will show you how to create fresh pesto from scratch, which you’ll then spread on puff pastry and roll into perfect pinwheels, ready for baking into golden, flavorful bites. By the end of the class, you’ll have the skills to make these elegant appetizers at home, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a personal gourmet treat.

Kids Nature Series at The Village Green
2025-08-12 16:00 | The Village Green, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NC, 28717, United States
Marsh Magic
Join HCLT to learn about the wonderful world of an Appalachian Bog! We will be exploring the Village Green trails to see the wonderful organisms that live in this unique ecosystem!

Nature Center Nights | Salamander Meander at Highlands Nature Center
2025-08-12 20:00 - 21:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
Join our Naturalists on a nighttime search for our secretive salamander friends.
All ages welcome
FREE | Registration required
(Weather dependent)

Tinker Time for Tots at The Literacy and Learning Center
2025-08-13 11:00 - 12:00 | The Literacy & Learning Center, 675 S 4th Street, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
The Literacy & Learning Center is excited to bring back another season of engaging workshops tailored for preschoolers and their parents. The aim is to empower parents by demonstrating inventive ways to utilize everyday household items for their children’s educational benefit.
These sessions will showcase practical activities that parents can seamlessly incorporate into their daily routines, fostering a rich learning environment at home.

Garden Tour at Highlands Nature Center
2025-08-13 12:00, 2025-08-20 12:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
Join in for a free guided tour of the Highlands Botanical Gardens! Led by our Horticultural Specialist, a naturalist, or a guest expert, these weekly tours explore the fascinating native plants, ecosystems, and seasonal wonders of the Southern Appalachians. No two tours are ever the same!
Meet at the Highlands Biological Station Amphitheater. Come take a walk with us and see what’s blooming!

Jimmy Carter: An American Giant at Center for Life Enrichment
2025-08-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Center For Life Enrichment, 348 S 5th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Join US Presidential Historian Douglas Brinkley for a discussion on why Jimmy Carter is one of the great figures of the 20th and 21st centuries. He will evaluate the lasting importance of Carter’s Camp David Accords; personal diplomacy with China’s Deng Xiaoping; lifetime humanitarian work in Africa; and the sudden controversial Panama Canal treaty. Brinkley will also discuss in detail why Carter was the most successful land and water conservation president since Theodore Roosevelt. Having written a biography of Carter ‘s post White House years titled, The Unfinished Presidency, Brinkley will offer personal stories about his own experiences with the ex-president including Habitat for Humanity house builds and travels to Israel/Gaza.

The Boys of Pointe du Hoc: D Day and the US Army 2nd Rangers at Center for Life Enrichment
2025-08-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Center For Life Enrichment, 348 S 5th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Join Douglas Brinkley for a discussion on the history of D Day ( June 6, 1944) from the perspective of the US Army 2nd Rangers who stormed the coast of Normandy by climbing the 100 foot promontory known as Pointe du Hoc. Facing arguably the toughest task to befall US forces during World War II , the brave special ops battalion boldly seized control of the fortified cliff and set in motion the Liberation of Europe.

Family Storytime at Hudson Library
2025-08-14 10:30, 2025-08-21 10:30 | Hudson Library, 554 Main St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Join us for stories, music, and movement at Family Storytime, every Thursday morning at 10:40AM.

Cashiers Quilters at St Jude's Catholic Church
2025-08-14 11:30, 2025-08-21 11:30 | NC
Come join us for lunch each Thursday at 11:30 at a local restaurant and then quilting at the church.
Held at St Jude’s Catholic Church in Cashiers.

Summer Writing Workshop at Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library
2025-08-14 13:00, 2025-08-21 13:00 | Albert-Carlton Community Library, 249 Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers, NC, 28741, United States
Beginning on June 5 at 1:00 p.m. and continuing every Thursday until August 28, ACCCL staff member Michael Redman will lead a writing workshop that is free and open to everyone, regardless of previous writing experience.
The workshop will be a place to be introduced to techniques, perspectives, and exercises to help you develop your writing. It will also provide a safe,welcoming environment for you to share your own thoughts, ideas, and questions.

Dementia Caregivers Support Group at Albert-Carlton Community Library
2025-08-14 15:00 - 16:30 | Albert-Carlton Community Library, 249 Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers, NC, 28741, United States
Join a welcoming group of people that understand what you are going through. We come together to offer each other support, resources, and a listening ear.
The group is a safe place for judgement free discussion.
2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.

Kids Zone at Hudson Library
2025-08-14 15:30, 2025-08-21 15:30 | Hudson Library, 554 Main St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Kids Zone features a variety of fun and interesting programs where kids can explore art, nature, science & more! Best for ages 5 and up.

Zahner Conservation Lecture Series | Southern Appalachian Forest Resilience in a Post Hurricane World at Highlands Nature Center
2025-08-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
Megan Sutton, The Nature Conservancy, Southern Blue Ridge Program Director
Join Megan Sutton from TNC’s Asheville office for an insightful program on the threats as well as the hopeful opportunities that our beloved Southern Appalachian forests face in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. She will explore the extensive damage caused by the hurricane and will highlight both the immediate and long-term impacts on forest ecosystems. Megan will discuss the critical nature of forest recovery work and how TNC is working to help the forests adapt in a changing climate.
Sponsored by Martha & Michael Dupuis, Monte & Palmer Gaillard, and Melanie & Tom Mauldin.

Carolina Concert Series at Trailborn Highlands
2025-08-14 18:00 - 21:00 | Trailborn Highlands, 96 Log Cabin Ln, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Join us in the Trailborn Highlands backyard for live music and drinks during our Carolina Concert Series!

Unveiling the Smokies: How Discover Life in America is Mapping the Hidden Biodiversity of the Great Smoky Mountains at Center for Life Enrichment
2025-08-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Center For Life Enrichment, 348 S 5th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
This presentation will describe and explain the work of Discover Life in America (DLiA), a nonprofit organization committed to studying and conserving biodiversity, with a focus on its flagship project, the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The ATBI, launched in 1998, is a comprehensive effort to document the estimated 60,000 to 80,000 species within the park. But an ATBI is more than just a checklist of species names. It is a complex and living database of species locations, habitats, genetic diversity, population density, symbiotic relationships, and predator-prey interactions. Working cooperatively, expert scientists specializing in all different forms of life discover new species needing protection, identify new threats in time to act, and understand how to protect a complex and valuable ecosystem like the Smoky Mountains. DLiA has successfully doubled the number of known species in the park and identified 1,092 species that are new to science. Despite these accomplishments, a vast amount of biodiversity remains to be discovered in the park. To further this research and exploration, DLiA leverages new technologies, engages in community science projects, and collaborates with scientists from around the world.

Night Visions: Unlocking the Secrets of Photography After Dark at Center for Life Enrichment
2025-08-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Center For Life Enrichment, 348 S 5th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
People used to ask Kevin Adams what is there to photograph at night? Today, night photography is extremely popular, with photographers capturing all sorts of nighttime subjects. Nothing new to do, right? Not so fast! In this presentation, Kevin covers the typical stuff—Milky Way, star trails, lighthouses, cityscapes, etc.—but he’ll also talk about photographing subjects you’ve never thought of, and he’ll share techniques for photographing ordinary subjects in ways you’ve never imagined. Fair warning, though. Kevin says that after you attend this presentation, you won’t be getting much sleep going forward—unless you do it in the daytime!
Note: this program is a lecture, not a workshop.

The Necessity of Imperfection: Grappling with Evil and Suffering in the World’s Religions at Center for Life Enrichment
2025-08-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Center For Life Enrichment, 348 S 5th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
One of the most difficult problems that every religion grapples with is how to explain the existence of evil and suffering in the world. Our lives are plagued by unhappiness, stress, difficulties, and always end in death. For religions with an all-powerful and loving God, this reality presents a serious challenge. Why won’t this loving and powerful God just fix us and our world? The Eastern traditions, with their views of karma and reincarnation, present a very different view of this classic struggle. Whether Eastern or Western, all religions recognize that our lives are not perfect, but then each presents different paths and prescriptions about what to do with these imperfections.
This class explores how these different faiths struggle with our imperfections while also presenting unique ways of understanding why the difficulties in our lives are a necessary part of being itself.

Village Nature Series at The Village Green
2025-08-19 17:30 | The Village Green, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NC, 28717, United States
Experience the Mountains: The Four Seasons
Experience a live musical piano journey through the four seasons of the North Carolina mountains, featuring all original video and music created, composed, and performed by Bryan Heller.
